Equip2Clean Wins Small Business of the Year at the 2025 Knowsley Business Awards
Equip2Clean has been named Small Business of the Year at the 2025 Knowsley Business Awards for the second consecutive year, recognising the company's continued growth as one of the UK's leading suppliers of professional cleaning equipment.
"We're absolutely delighted to win Small Business of the Year for the second year running. This has been a record-breaking year for Equip2Clean. We've launched over a hundred new products, built a strong B2B distribution network with more than 30 partners, and we're about to move into our brand-new 25,000 sq ft headquarters in Knowsley. The award is a brilliant way to end the year and a real credit to our incredible team who make all of this possible."
Kieran Paxton, Sales Director, Equip2Clean
The award was presented at the annual Knowsley Business Awards ceremony on 27 November 2025, held at the Grand Marquee at Knowsley Safari. The event brought together over 800 guests from across the North West business community, with 15 winners and 21 highly commended organisations recognised on the night.
View the award on the Knowsley Business Awards website
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Back-to-Back Wins: 2024 and 2025
Equip2Clean first won Small Business of the Year at the 2024 Knowsley Business Awards, making the 2025 win a consecutive achievement. Winning the same category two years running reflects the sustained momentum behind the business rather than a single standout year.
Between the two award ceremonies, Equip2Clean has expanded its product range significantly, grown its B2B distribution network to over 30 partners, and scaled its team to support rising demand from professional cleaning contractors, facilities managers and tradespeople across the UK.
View the 2024 award on the Knowsley Business Awards website
A Record-Breaking Year for Equip2Clean
The 2025 award follows a year of significant milestones for the business:
✓ Over 100 new products launched, expanding the range of professional cleaning equipment available to customers across the UK
✓ 30+ B2B distribution partners, building a trade network that extends the reach of Equip2Clean products to cleaning professionals nationwide
✓ New 25,000 sq ft headquarters in Knowsley, providing expanded capacity for warehousing, logistics, stock availability and in-house servicing
✓ Continued investment in product safety, including the development of Kevlar-insulated water fed poles tested to 35,000 volts and insulated gutter cleaning poles launching in 2026
About the Knowsley Business Awards
The Knowsley Business Awards have been running for over 21 years and are organised by Knowsley Council's Business Growth Team. The annual ceremony celebrates the achievements of businesses and individuals across all sectors in the Borough of Knowsley, within the Liverpool City Region.
The awards are one of the largest business events in the North West, regularly attracting over 800 guests. Categories span from micro and small business of the year through to employer of the year, community impact and corporate social responsibility.
View all 2025 Knowsley Business Awards winners
About Equip2Clean
Equip2Clean is a UK supplier of professional cleaning equipment based in Knowsley, Liverpool City Region. The business supplies window cleaners, gutter cleaning operatives, pressure washing contractors, facilities managers and external maintenance professionals with equipment and accessories for commercial, industrial and domestic applications.
Originally founded in the 1970s by Eric Paxton, a Merchant Navy veteran who began manufacturing industrial pressure washers, the business has been passed through three generations of the Paxton family. It was formally established as Equip2Clean in 2006 by Jonathan Paxton and has since grown into one of the UK's largest specialist suppliers of professional cleaning equipment.
The company is known for its direct-to-customer approach, technical product knowledge and commitment to safety innovation, including the development of Kevlar-insulated water fed poles for electrical protection and ongoing investment in insulated gutter cleaning systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Knowsley Business Awards?
The Knowsley Business Awards are an annual awards programme organised by Knowsley Council's Business Growth Team, recognising the achievements of businesses and individuals across the Borough of Knowsley in the Liverpool City Region. The awards have been running for over 21 years and the ceremony regularly attracts more than 800 guests from across the North West. Categories include Small Business of the Year, Employer of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Community Impact, and more.
Has Equip2Clean won Small Business of the Year before?
Yes. Equip2Clean won Small Business of the Year at both the 2024 and 2025 Knowsley Business Awards, making it two consecutive wins. In 2023, the business (trading as Equipmart at the time) was Highly Commended in the Micro Business of the Year category. The back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025 reflect the company's sustained growth in the professional cleaning equipment market.
What does Equip2Clean sell?
Equip2Clean supplies professional cleaning equipment to tradespeople, contractors and businesses across the UK. The product range includes water fed window cleaning poles, gutter cleaning vacuum systems, pressure washers, scrubber dryers, carpet cleaners, industrial vacuums and a wide selection of accessories and consumables. The company is also known for its Kevlar-insulated water fed poles, which are designed with electrical safety in mind for professionals working near overhead power lines.
Where is Equip2Clean based?
Equip2Clean is based on Knowsley Industrial Estate in the Liverpool City Region. The company recently moved into a new 25,000 sq ft headquarters in Knowsley to support its continued growth, providing increased capacity for warehousing, logistics, stock holding and in-house equipment servicing. The business has been rooted in the Knowsley area since its origins in the 1970s.
Is Equip2Clean a family business?
Yes. Equip2Clean is a third-generation family business. It was originally founded by Eric Paxton, a Merchant Navy veteran, who started manufacturing industrial pressure washers in the 1970s. The business was formally established as Equip2Clean in 2006 by Jonathan Paxton and continues to be family-run, with the same values of honest advice, reliable products and strong after-sales support that shaped its early years.
